Risk Ready- Presented by The Private Risk Management Association

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction. 

In this episode our host, Spencer Houldin, Managing Director Gallagher Private Client, sits down with special guest, Ross Bowie, President & Chief Risk Officer of Private Client Select Insurance Services (PCS). Formerly known as AIG Private Client Group, Ross provides transparent insights into the future of the high net worth and ultra-high net worth space under PCS. 

Ross shares his career journey, the transparent vision for PCS and what it means for brokers, clients, and the future of the HNW market. Whether you’re a broker, insurance professional, or simply curious about the changing landscape, you won’t want to miss this episode! 

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction. 

In this episode our host, Spencer Houldin, Area President of AJ Gallagher, sits down with special guest, industry expert Ty Harris, CEO and Co-Founder at Openly as they discuss the transformative potential of technology in the insurance industry, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology for enhanced broker efficiency, improved pricing accuracy, and reduced expenses, while also addressing challenges and necessary changes for achieving this vision. 

Ty Harris is the CEO and Co-Founder of Openly. Before founding Openly, Ty spent 12 years at Liberty Mutual. As EVP and Chief Product Officer, Ty led an organization responsible for product, pricing, underwriting, and innovation across all personal lines of business.   Prior to Liberty Mutual, Ty conducted research
at the Brookings Institution and taught economics and statistics at MIT and
Northeastern. A Duke and MIT alum, Ty is also a fully credentialed actuary
(FCAS).   Ty lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and two kids. He's an enthusiastic runner, snowboarder, windsurfer, and dad! 

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction. 

In this episode, we embrace the future of home protection and dive deep into the world of leak detection systems. Spencer Houldin sits down with Gwen Banas, Founder of Water Security Solutions, to uncover how brokers can better overcome client skepticism and increase the adoption of leak detection systems among homeowners. Gwen also shares the latest advancements in technology and explores upcoming trends and innovative concepts that could transform leak detection and home protection. 

Gwen Banas is President & Founder of Water Security Solutions, LLC, the leader in water security consulting and distribution, and national installer support for homes and condos of affluent and high net worth clients and carriers nationwide.  Prior to WSS, she worked in disaster restoration with ServiceMaster where she performed initial research and testing of early water security devices.  In 2006, she began consulting to assists carriers, plumbers and homeowners with water security system selection, application and installation and now works with the widest variety of options offered.  Today, she and her team help homeowners across the USA and Canada, assess their homes and lifestyle to get the most compatible leak protection systems installed correctly and certified to meet manufacturers’ specifications and carrier underwriting requirements with the support of thousands of network installers.  Gwen served on the IAPMO Standards Technical Subcommittee helping to develop national standards for testing and approval of water leak protection systems and has unrivaled experience to support end-users in their water security endeavors. 

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction.

In this episode, join Spencer Houldin and Jerod Blakestad, co-founder of Monoline, as they delve into the future of technology in our industry and, more particularly, AI's impact on our space.  Are you keeping up with the development of Artificial Intelligence?  Do you worry it may replace jobs?  These are crucial questions, and we will explore them in depth. 

Jerod Blakestad, co-founder of Monoline, is an accomplished insurance entrepreneur with a proven track record of establishing and expanding successful enterprises. Jerod has worked in nearly every aspect of the insurance industry, including working for a carrier and large national broker, having had his own agency, which he sold to Marsh & McLennan Agency in 2017, and co-founding the track insurance company, OpenTrack.

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction.

In this episode join Spencer Houldin and Lacey Garrison Strom, the Executive Vice President, and Director of Family Office at Heffernan Insurance Brokers, as they explore a number of interesting topics. From discussing how a California native like Lacey successfully navigates the market, to emphasizing the significance of maintain your relationships with carriers and underwriters. Discover Lacey's go-to resources, including articles and podcasts, that help her stay on top of latest industry trends and developments.

Lacey Garrison Strom is Heffernan’s Executive Vice President, and Director of Family Office. With close to two decades of experience and a dedicated Private Client team, Lacey specializes in personal insurance risk management consulting for successful individuals and family offices both domestically & internationally. Lacey educates families & wealth managers on the complexities that come with their unique affairs, Trust/LLC ownership structures, domestic and foreign assets, public profiles, and hobbies..

Podcasts mentioned:

• Up First
• The Daily
• How I Built This
• Armchair Experts

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction.

 In this episode with Brian Farrell of Farrell Law & Consulting, Spencer and Brian discuss the crucial topic for independent agents serving high-net-worth clients – the intricacies of excess liability in the world of insurance. Brian, who has a 30-year career as a trial lawyer, managing attorney, and insurance professional, dives into the question of how much coverage is sufficient for individuals and the significance of having the right carrier and contract during a lawsuit. Additionally, Brian sheds light on the effectiveness of trusts or LLCs and whether they are truly foolproof during lawsuits.   

Brian has a 30-year career, including as a trial lawyer, managing attorney, and insurance professional. Brian holds an LLM in Insurance Law from the University of Connecticut School of Law and has extensive expertise in general liability, personal lines, excess, employment practices liability, D&O, and E&O cases. 

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction.

 In this episode with Scott Carmilani, Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Vault Insurance, Spencer and Scott explore the factors influencing construction costs, the need for pricing models to adjust to changes in the construction landscape, and the historical context surrounding homeowners' contracts.  Scott has transitioned through different positions in the insurance industry, he brings a unique "outsider's" viewpoint to high-net-worth personal insurance. 

Scott started his career at AIG where over the course of 15 years he held various management roles. From there he became Chairman and CEO of Allied World which was eventually purchased by Fairfax Insurance entities. At Fairfax he served as the President of Strategy and Distribution.   

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction. 

In this episode, Spencer Houldin, CEO of Ericson Insurance, sits down with Diane Delaney, Executive Director of PRMA, to talk about what’s new with the organization in 2024, uncover essential resources that every member should know about, and how to get more involved with the PRMA community. 

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads, and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction.

In this episode with Dan Halsey, President of Personal Lines at The Hanover, we talk about how, in such a dynamic time in our industry, it’s an opportunity for independent agents to reinforce to their clients the unique value and expertise that they bring.   

Dan joined The Hanover in 2009 as the personal lines chief financial officer.  In 2013, he transitioned into a business P&L role, leading state management team.

In April 2017, Dan was appointed the President for Personal Lines and oversees all aspects of running this business.  Dan brings extensive experience in leading and empowering talent, delivering business results, and financial acumen to the organization. 

Prior to joining The Hanover, Dan spent six years at Liberty Mutual in leadership roles in M&A and personal lines finance.  

The PRMA Insurance Thought Leaders Insight Series with Spencer Houldin, alongside leading thought leaders in the industry, aims to examine the insurance terrain, identify solutions to navigating the bumpy roads and provide a roadmap that guides risk management professionals in the right direction. In this podcast episode, we conduct a deeper dive into the realm of personal auto insurance. Our guest, Mary Boyd, is a forward-thinking authority in this field, with a special focus on the efficient adoption of technology. Join us as we explore Mary's insights into the evolving landscape of the personal automobile market, the future of telematics, and the shifting demographics of drivers. 

Mary Boyd, President and CEO of Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation. Mary is responsible for Plymouth Rock’s independent agency personal and commercial auto, umbrella, and Pilgrim services businesses.  Mary is no stranger to the high-net-worth personal insurance space, starting her career at Chubb and subsequently as President of ACE Private Risk Services.  She also held senior leadership positions at Hartford's personal lines agency as well as overseeing their direct channels and managing the AARP partnership.